Proof of Concept
Cate Blanchett and her business partner, Coco Francini, who is also the co-founder of their film company Dirty Films, have joined forces with Dr. Stacy L. Smith of the University of Southern California’s Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, and Netflix’s Fund for Creative Equity, to launch the Proof of Concept Acceleration Program. This initiative is geared toward supporting the next generation of talented filmmakers who champion the perspectives of women, trans, and non-binary individuals in their stories.
Left to right: Dr. Stacy L. Smith, Cate Blanchett, and Coco Francini. Courtesy of USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative.
Francini explained the motivation behind Proof of Concept, stating, “This program addresses a simple yet crucial issue: audiences crave expansive work from filmmakers with diverse and bold perspectives, but early-stage support for these voices is lacking.” She continued, emphasizing the challenges faced by new creators, especially those exploring narratives from marginalized gender identities. Francini sees Proof of Concept as a proactive step to create meaningful and sustainable opportunities for these filmmakers.
Industry reports highlight the underrepresentation of women and marginalized gender identities, with only 6% of directors in the top 1,600 movies from 2007 to 2022 being women. Additionally, less than one-third of speaking characters on screen belonged to girls, women, trans, or non-binary individuals. In response to these disparities, the acceleration program aims to discover new talents, support their growth in the industry, and fast-track their journey to large-scale production.
Cate Blanchett expressed her thoughts on the initiative, stating, “By offering tangible financial and career support to often overlooked filmmakers, we not only provide them a remarkable launching pad for success but also contribute to expanding the future landscape of film and television.” The program is set to provide financial, artistic, and production support to up to 8 filmmakers, requiring them to create a short film serving as a “proof of concept” for a potential feature film or television project. Each selected project will receive $50,000 in funding, along with mentorship, exposure, and connections with industry leaders.
As a passion project and potential game-changer in the film industry, Proof of Concept reflects the commitment of the Dirty Films team. The production company has already seen success with films like “Little Fish” (2005), “Carol” (2015), “Shayda” (2023), “The New Boy” (2023), and “Fingernails” (2023), with upcoming projects including “Peaches” and “The Champions.” The program has the potential to address the existing inequality gap in the film industry, introducing fresh perspectives and talents into this continually evolving field. Applications for Proof of Concept will open on January 3, 2024.
